Speculation: Hot Toys Star Wars Rogue One Action Figures

[Asta]

Just like comic book films, change the uniforms, even if only slightly, and everyone gets to sell more merchandise.

With Star Wars I have a cunning plan: stick to the original three films.

So far, so good. Haven't fallen off the wagon yet.

 

[TonTon]

You're wise beyond your years, Kuat.

 

[Asta]

You're wise beyond your years, Kuat.

Dismissing the PT was a no brainier.

TFA was trickier because it was well made, and made in a style recognisable to the OT. But it's really too far into the future to maintain a connection: Han dying; Leia with plastic surgery; Luke a reclusive hermit.

Rogue One is going to be difficult. Main characters will probably feel right, but numerous Stormtrooper variations prior to the OT will smack of merchandising needs.

 

[TonTon]

Yeah, I get that suddenly in ESB there was a new trooper introduced and then in ROTJ there was too, so almost logically Rogue One should have a new trooper added to the mix. But it seems like there are 3 new trooper types--they all look fine. Should have used the black ones in TFA--night attack in Jakku troopers.

I'd be happy with a group of figures from the ST, but whose to say which will be the ones to have. It's too tempting to just grab one of each main character and decide later, but that's a trap.

 

[Aliaz]

I'm also sticking with just figures from the OT. But with the discounts I'm seeing at my local shop for the FO troopers it's tempting to get into TFA...

 

[Asta]

Yeah, I get that suddenly in ESB there was a new trooper introduced and then in ROTJ there was too, so almost logically Rogue One should have a new trooper added to the mix. But it seems like there are 3 new trooper types--they all look fine. Should have used the black ones in TFA--night attack in Jakku troopers.

The trooper progression in the OT seemed natural, because they had specific roles.

The main problem is that Rogue One is a prequel, so any new troopers will be ones that were naturally absent from the next three films. So not seen aboard the first Death Star, the Empire's flagship super weapon; not employed at the battle of Hoth; nor at the crucial battle of Endor. Unless there are new special editions with ret-conned new troopers.

There was a similar problem with the PT, in that many years before Episode IV the starships looked more advanced, because their cinematic design cues were a couple of decades more recent.

I'd be happy with a group of figures from the ST, but whose to say which will be the ones to have. It's too tempting to just grab one of each main character and decide later, but that's a trap.

As I see it, apart from the established characters, none of the new ones can be deemed classic until they're at least as old as ROTJ. By my reckoning that'll be 2047.

 

[TonTon]

I think the absence of troopers such as the Scout and Snowtrooper from the DS in Episode IV becomes glaring then too. So I think if there was one new Rogue One trooper it could get a pass for suddenly disappearing again. It's not like they suddenly decided on new trooper outfits for the Hoth invasion (which was spontaneous after the probe droid) or for Endor--the implication with both is that they've been around. And I could be wrong but the snowtroopers aren't at the arrival of the Emperor either, just the new scouts.

 

[LewisD]

The trooper progression in the OT seemed natural, because they had specific roles. The main problem is that Rogue One is a prequel, so any new troopers will be ones that were naturally absent from the next three films. So not seen aboard the first Death Star, the Empire's flagship super weapon; not employed at the battle of Hoth; nor at the crucial battle of Endor. Unless there are new special editions with ret-conned new troopers.

There was a similar problem with the PT, in that many years before Episode IV the starships looked more advanced, because their cinematic design cues were a couple of decades more recent.

It is easy to make that argument with the new Deathtroopers, however there were no tanks seen in the OT so the new armored troops associated with the tanks can be explained away. The same goes for the new trooper design seen on the tropical planet. There were no tropical planets seen in the OT, so of course no tropical troopers. Imagine if Hoth was never seen on film in ESB. There would never have been Snowtroopers in Star Wars mythology, but that wouldn't have meant that there could be no troopers for colder climates in the Empire elsewhere in the galaxy.

 

[Asta]

I think the absence of troopers such as the Scout and Snowtrooper from the DS in Episode IV becomes glaring then too. So I think if there was one new Rogue One trooper it could get a pass for suddenly disappearing again. It's not like they suddenly decided on new trooper outfits for the Hoth invasion (which was spontaneous after the probe droid) or for Endor--the implication with both is that they've been around. And I could be wrong but the snowtroopers aren't at the arrival of the Emperor either, just the new scouts.

It is easy to make that argument with the new Deathtroopers, however there were no tanks seen in the OT so the new armored troops associated with the tanks can be explained away. The same goes for the new trooper design seen on the tropical planet. There were no tropical planets seen in the OT, so of course no tropical troopers. Imagine if Hoth was never seen on film in ESB. There would never have been Snowtroopers in Star Wars mythology, but that wouldn't have meant that there could be no troopers for colder climates in the Empire elsewhere in the galaxy.

Yes, troopers for specific environments I guess is okay. I didn't know they were specifically armoured vehicle or tropical troops. But there were armoured vehicle drivers in ESB (AT-AT and AT-ST).

As for the first DS I see it guarded by the basic marine (the regular Stormtrooper). With no plans for going skiing or scouting they didn't add them to the roster.

 

[TonTon]

I'm also sticking with just figures from the OT. But with the discounts I'm seeing at my local shop for the FO troopers it's tempting to get into TFA...

They're well made but each I feel is a bit lacking as a figure compared with the OT stormtrooper. I picked up the TFA TIE Pilot for a great price and he's nice but he's not the most dynamic to pose due to the hard plastic boots. If I keep TFA stuff I think I would keep him with Poe or Finn to represent the great scenes with the TIEs.

I also picked up a snowtrooper as I liked the design but I'm pretty sure I'll sell that one off as I just can't sustain interest in it since it didn't have any screen time. As far as the regular troopers go I had the vanilla stormtrooper but thought he was a bit boring and the articulation kinda stunk so I sold him off. I did however just order the Jakku trooper for a deal figuring with how much stuff he comes with maybe I'll prefer that one.

Looking at the TFA figures on the shelf compared with the OT ones is very different. Hard to explain, but the OT ones really feel like they belong on display in my place and I really marvel at them on my shelf, the TFA ones still feel too new to have any larger connection to and I often look at them a bit skeptically.

 

[TonTon]

Yes, troopers for specific environments I guess is okay. I didn't know they were specifically armoured vehicle or tropical troops. But there were armoured vehicle drivers in ESB (AT-AT and AT-ST).

As for the first DS I see it guarded by the basic marine (the regular Stormtrooper). With no plans for going skiing or scouting they didn't add them to the roster.

I mean, we should see AT-AT drivers in Rogue One, right? And old school TIE Pilots if there are TIEs? I'm sure Sideshow would love it if they did.

 

[Asta]

I mean, we should see AT-AT drivers in Rogue One, right? And old school TIE Pilots if there are TIEs? I'm sure Sideshow would love it if they did.

They ought to be there, if the plot requires it. And TIE Pilots seem unavoidable.

However, wasn't it noted that even the regular Stormtroopers had been changed?

I have a feeling there will be small changes to established uniforms to make older toys 'out-dated', and to justify the purchase of newer versions.

 

[TonTon]

Yeah, you're probably right. I know they said the new stormtroopers had design elements for better movement. No excuse about the suits restricting mobility on the pilot and driver.

 

[Asta]

Yeah, you're probably right. I know they said the new stormtroopers had design elements for better movement. No excuse about the suits restricting mobility on the pilot and driver.

It could come down to different colours or paint as well.

Though technically the Empire doesn't seem to have bothered with camouflage. Predominantly white troopers in the desert and the forest. Snowtroopers were camouflaged apparently by accident - they should consider themselves the luckiest arm of the Empire.

 

[Aliaz]

Looking at the TFA figures on the shelf compared with the OT ones is very different. Hard to explain, but the OT ones really feel like they belong on display in my place and I really marvel at them on my shelf, the TFA ones still feel too new to have any larger connection to and I often look at them a bit skeptically.

That's what I'm afraid of. I can pick up a TFA Stormtrooper for $175 at my local shop (membership offer) but I just can't bring myself to do it.

 

[LoveMinusZero]

View attachment 277197

Another new design for Hot Toys to milk.

Can't even lie, this guy looks killer.

 

[ZE_501]

Can't even lie, this guy looks killer.

Looks like an unwholesome union of Vader, a stormtrooper and a Mandalorean helmet.

Gotta see them in action. I love armoured troops but so many designs following the OG stormy look a little like knock-offs, to an extent.


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[LoveMinusZero]

These guys are tank commanders, there's a second one driving, they look the part, it's a great design imo.

I like them much better than the new "badass" Death Trooper, which isn't that great to be honest.

 

[ZE_501]

There was a similar problem with the PT, in that many years before Episode IV the starships looked more advanced, because their cinematic design cues were a couple of decades more recent.
[...]

That didn't bother me; I saw it as the Republic in full bloom, before a highly destructive, resource-intensive conflict kicked them back a ways into a post-war depression both economically and culturally.

The Clone Wars looked *expensive*.

You could extend that idea and call the Empire's war machine a huge resource hog, stalling or halting progress in design and commerce in favour of mass-produced weaponry and things like Death Stars.

It's one of the few things about the PT that didn't bother me.




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[ZE_501]

These guys are tank commanders, there's a second one driving, they look the part, it's a great design imo.

I like them much better than the new "badass" Death Trooper, which isn't that great to be honest.

Agreed; I do like them better than the DT.


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